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I take no joy in alleging the shortcomings of others. On land or sea, I typically choose “fluffy” topics devoid of controversy. My intent is to provide gentle humor for all readers, despite their station, religion and/or political leaning.

On land, I wouldn’t join troops risking entanglements “through the briars and the brambles where a rabbit wouldn’t go.” On the sea, while others joust with the bad guys and/or creatures of the deep, I’m “scrunched down,” trying to strap on two life jackets.

In short—like most folks—I identify with Sam Rayburn’s political philosophy: “If you want to get along, go along.”…

Senate races through agenda to get to other-than-Sunset bills AUSTIN — The 85th Texas Legislature convened at the Capitol on July 18 for its first called session, the main purpose being for lawmakers to extend the life of certain state agencies scheduled for termination, and then to proceed to other matters. At the urging of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, the Senate moved quickly to pass legislation continuing the function of the Texas Medical Board and several other healthcare related state oversight boards through 2019.

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on July 10 issued a formal proclamation for the special session that begins July 18, directing the Texas Legislature to extend expiration dates for the Texas Medical Board and other state boards that regulate psychologists, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors and social workers.

Abbott said he plans to issue a supplemental proclamation further directing lawmakers to pass another list of items he previously announced. The areas of legislation would:

Authorities usually offer specifics when asked about origins of expressions. “The more things change, the more they stay the same,” however, is not one of them. Attempts to pinpoint its first use are baffling to some and invite “waffling” for others.

Most linguists agree that the idiom began as a French expression in the mid-19th century.

Hardliners maintain that its genesis is biblical, birthed by the scripture about “nothing being new under the sun.”…

AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott, in the last 10 days of June, posted news releases pointing out specific lawmakers and their plans to file bills that fulfill his expectations for the 30-day special session, which he called to begin July 18.

Abbott said lawmakers first must pass a “sunset bill” to extend the life of the Texas Medical Board and then tackle a 19-item list of other issues in the monthlong session. Abbott’s list is a pretty close match to a list of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s priorities. Here are a few of those items: